Talk:Anthia sexguttata

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The name Egyptian Predator Beetle seems to have been recently invented by an insect supplier or dealer who could not identify the insect which he had caught! The correct name for the insect in question is Anthia(Thermophilum) sexmaculata, not A. sexguttata (which is found in India and parts of Africa, and is usually 5cm or more in length). Incongruously A. sexmaculata usually has about 14 pale markings on its body, but the number can vary.

This beetle is distributed widely along the northern states of Africa from the Atlantic Ocean to the Red Sea, and is often known as the dominoe beetle, but this name is often used for other species. A.sexmaculata has an unusual life cycle; young larvae enter ants' nests and remain there feeding on the ants and their larvae. They soon assume the scent of their ant hosts and are accepted as members of the colony.

These beetles move about with their bodies lifted high up off the ground to avoid the heat of the substrate.

Their mandibles, although large, are not strong enough for defence. Instead, they squirt an acrid fluid from the anus to disable their enemies. This defence strategy has earned them the popular name of 'oogenpister' i.e. 'eye-squirter'. I have never experienced this despite having kept them for many years.

Their large eyes, mandibles and speed of movement are similar to those of tiger beetles, but these beetles are flightless and are classified as ground beetles (Carabidae).

Sources of reference: Carabidae of the World, Beetles of Africa, Coleop-terra 86.164.94.167 (talk) 00:01, 4 December 2008 (UTC) peejay
 * Yes, this is correct. I have moved it back. The taxobox photo was actually A. sexguttata from India. Shyamal (talk) 15:20, 10 August 2009 (UTC)

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